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KEY VERSE:
Matthew 1:18-19(ESV)
The Birth of Jesus Christ
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
Introduction:
On the fact of the virgin birth of Christ, Christianity stand or falls. If the virgin birth did not happen, then Christ was just a mere man. But since it did occur, Christ is the divine Son of God.
I. WHO’S SON IS HE?
Matthew 22:42
“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?”
A. No other question in history matters as much as this one does.
B. The bible is clear concerning the virgin birth.
Matthew 1:18
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
1. Matthew tells about the virgin birth.
Matthew 1:18
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
2. Dr. Luke recorded the words of Mary.
Luke 1:34
And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
3. Joseph knew he was not the father.
Matthew 1:19
And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
4. Jesus’ enemies attacked the virgin birth.
John 8:41
They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.”
5. Jesus’ Miracles attest to His divine birth
John 14:11
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
No mere mortal man can calm a storm, heal a leopard raise the dead or cast out demons.
II. THE PARENTS OF CHRIST – JOSEPH.
Luke 2:4
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
A. Joseph was in the family tree of King David which gave title ship of King to Jesus.
B. Joseph was a righteous man who loved Mary very much.
Matthew 1:19
And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
C. Joseph was a carpenter and more than likely passed his skill down to Jesus.
Matthew 13:55
Is not this the carpenter’s son?
D. Joseph was a carpenter and more than likely passed his skill down to Jesus.
Matthew 13:55
Is not this the carpenter’s son?
E. Joseph likely died sometime after Jesus turned 12 but possibly before Christ’s first miracle. He certainly died before Christ’s crucifixion.
John 19:27
Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
III. THE PARENTS OF CHRIST – Mary.
A. Mary was a native of Nazareth.
Luke 1:26
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
B. Mary was a woman of moral excellence.
Luke 1:34
And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
C. Mary had humble reverence, thankfulness and love for God.
Luke 1:46-49
46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
D. Both Joseph and Mary were very poor.
Luke 2:22-24
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
Leviticus 12:8
And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.”
E. Both were betrothed to one another.
Conclusion:
The virgin birth meant that Christ was not tainted by the Seed of Sin in Man. But the rest of us are. Christ was born so that He could die and in turn we may live eternally.